Retired Air Vice Marshal Dies Aboard Abuja-bound British Airways Flight

A British Airways flight from London to Abuja was forced to make an emergency diversion to Barcelona, Spain, in the early hours of Monday, following the sudden death of a retired Nigerian Air Vice Marshal believed to be from Anambra State.

The aircraft, which departed London’s Heathrow Airport around 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, was scheduled to arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by 5:00 a.m. Monday.

However, mid-flight, the crew declared a medical emergency after the elderly passenger reportedly became unresponsive.

Despite immediate medical attention from onboard personnel and a passenger said to be a medical practitioner, efforts to revive the retired officer proved unsuccessful.

The pilot subsequently requested permission to divert the aircraft to Barcelona for emergency assistance.

Upon landing, Spanish medical authorities and airport officials boarded the plane and officially confirmed the passenger’s death.

The deceased’s remains were later evacuated, while the flight continued its journey to Abuja after several hours of delay.

British Airways is yet to issue an official statement as of press time, but sources within the airline confirmed that “a medical incident occurred onboard BA flight 083 from London to Abuja, and the aircraft was diverted to Barcelona as a precaution.”

Meanwhile, officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Spain have reportedly been notified and are working with local authorities and the airline to facilitate the repatriation of the late officer’s body to Nigeria.

The identity of the deceased retired Air Vice Marshal is being withheld pending official notification of his family.

Aviation authorities in Nigeria and the Nigerian Air Force are also expected to issue statements on the incident.